Grill and Go Embroidered Apron

First, prepare fabric for the front and back of the apron. Cut two pieces of sturdy fabric (we used twill) to 28 inches wide by 36 inches high. Align the pieces together and pin in a few places to secure them. Then, measure and mark 7 1/2 inches out from the top right corner. Also, measure and mark 12 1/2 inches down from the top right corner.

Next, draw a curved line from the top mark down to the bottom mark.

Trim the fabric along the line cutting through both layers.

Fold the fabric lengthwise (long sides aligned) and trace the shape you just trimmed onto the fabric. Then, trim the fabric as you did on the first side again cutting through both layers.

Remove the pins and separate the pieces of fabric. Lay one of the pieces of fabric flat with the right side facing up. 

Create a paper template of the design by printing it at full size using embroidery software. If you don't have embroidery software, you can cut a piece of paper the shape and dimensions of the design to help with placement and centering. 

Position the template on the top of the fabric with top edge of the design about 5 inches from the top edge of the fabric. Center the design from side to side by measuring and dividing by two. Using an air erase pen, dress maker�s pencil, or other marking tool, poke a hole in the center of the template and mark the fabric. Also, mark the horizontal and vertical axis points.

Remove the template and draw lines connecting the marks - the lines will be used for hooping.

Spray a piece of medium weight cutaway stabilizer with temporary adhesive and smooth the fabric on top. Hoop the fabric and stabilizer together by aligning the marks on the hoop with the lines on the fabric. Attach the hoop to the machine and load the design. Move the hoop so that the needle is aligned with the center point on the fabric. Embroider the design.

After the design has finished, trim away the excess fabric on the backside of the embroidery.

To prepare the pocket for the front of the apron, cut a piece of fabric to 28 inches wide by 16 inches high. Then, cut a piece of 7/8 inch wide double-fold quilt binding to 30 inches long and wrap the binding along the top edge of the fabric. Pin in place and sew a seam along the inner edge of the binding.

Align the pocket along the bottom edge of the embroidered front piece. Pin in place. Then, measure and mark the center of the top and bottom of the pocket by measuring and dividing by two. Draw a line connecting the marks. Next, measure and mark the top and bottom of the pocket on each side in between the line you just drew and the side edges of the pocket. Then, draw lines connecting the marks. Doing this will create four separate, equal sized pockets.

Sew a seam along each line starting at the bottom of the pocket and ending at the top.  Also, sew a 1/4 inch seam along the side and bottom edges of the pocket to tack it in place.

Now add the top and side straps of the apron. For the top right strap, cut a piece of strapping to 28 inches long. Pin one end of the strap at the top right corner about 1/2 inch from the top right corner with about 1/2 inch of the strap extending out past the edge of the fabric. Pin in place. For the top left strap, cut a piece of strapping to 4 1/2 inches long. Wrap the strap around the loop end of the parachute buckle (opposite from the adjustable end) and pin the ends of the strap in place about 1/2 inch from the top left corner leaving 1/2 inch of the straps extending out past the edge of the fabric.

For the side straps cut two pieces of strapping to 36 inches. Pin one end of the straps at the side corners allowing about 1/2 inch of excess strapping extending out past the edges of the fabric. Pin in place.

Now prepare the back apron fabric for the embroidery. Lay the back fabric right side up with the left side at the top. Create a paper template of the design and position it so that the top edge of the design is about 2 1/2 inches from the top edge of the fabric. Mark the fabric, then hoop it with stabilizer, and embroider the design just as you did earlier.

Next, for the caddy straps, cut two pieces of strapping to 20 inches. Fold each end of the straps in 1/2 inch. Align the ends of the first strap about one inch from each side of the design (about 1 1/2 inch from the edges of the fabric) with the loop of the strap extending out past the edge of the fabric. Pin in place. Then, align the ends of the remaining strap about 7 inches from the ends of the first strap with the loop of the strap facing away from the embroidery. Pin in place and sew the ends of the strap in place.

Lay the front fabric flat and align the back fabric on top, right sides together, and pin in place. Make sure all the straps are inside the fabric so that they do not get sewn over. Sew a 1/2 inch seam along the side and top edges - leave the bottom edge open for turning.

Turn the apron right side out and press the seams with an iron. Also, turn the fabric of the bottom opening in 1/2 inch and press. Then, pin the bottom opening and top stitch a 1/4 inch seam along the entire outer edge of the apron.

Now your apron is complete! Add your grilling utensils and tools inside the pockets.

Lay the straps inside the apron and fold the top portion in.

Roll the apron up starting at the opposite end of the back straps, and away you go!

If you like, you can tie a shoe lace around the middle of the caddy to help hold it in place.